An ND's Take on Weight Loss Medications

A Naturopathic Physician’s Perspective on Weight Management Medications: A Powerful Tool for Better Health

As a naturopathic physician, I’m deeply committed to helping patients achieve better health through integrative care that prioritizes natural means—nutrition, movement, stress management, sleep, and targeted supplementation. But one of the most common questions I get in my practice is:

"Is there a natural alternative to GLP-1 agonists (ozempic / wegovy)?"

Oh, how I wish there were! If we had a plant extract or a lifestyle intervention that could produce the same magnitude of weight loss and health improvements as medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide, I would be the first to recommend it. But the reality is, no natural alternative comes even remotely close to the efficacy we see with these drugs—both in terms of the percentage of patients who succeed in losing weight and the amount of weight they lose (Jensterle, 2022, Li, H, 2024, Shi, Q., 2021, Wang, J., 2023).

A Paradigm Shift: Medications as a Tool, Not a Shortcut

For years, weight loss medications were seen as a shortcut or a last resort. But the science has evolved, and so should our thinking. We now understand that obesity is not simply a result of willpower—it’s a complex metabolic condition with genetic, hormonal, and neurological drivers.

When we take this into account, we can see these medications for what they truly are: a tool in our toolbox, not a standalone solution. Just as we use diet, exercise, sleep optimization, and targeted supplements to improve metabolic health, we can integrate weight management medications into a holistic treatment plan when appropriate.

The Long-Term Health Benefits

These medications don’t just help patients lose weight—they improve metabolic function, cardiovascular health, and long-term disease risk.

✅ Reduced Cardiovascular Risk: Studies show that semaglutide not only helps with weight loss but also significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, even in non-diabetic patients (Mullur, N 2024, Alexiadou, K, 2024)

✅ Improved Blood Sugar Control: These medications were originally developed for diabetes treatment, and for good reason—they enhance insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar, and reduce diabetes risk (Al-Badri, M, 2024).

✅ Better Quality of Life: Many of my patients who have struggled for years with their weight find newfound energy, improved mobility, and better sleep after losing weight with the support of these medications.

Why Lifestyle Still Matters

While these medications are game-changers, they work best when paired with foundational lifestyle changes. Weight loss is not just about calories in and calories out—it’s about supporting a healthy metabolism and sustainable habits.

💪 Strength Training & Movement – Preserving lean muscle mass is essential for metabolic health. A strength training program alongside regular movement (walking, yoga, cycling, etc.) enhances long-term success (Al-Badri, M., 2024).

🥗 Anti-Inflammatory, Nutrient-Dense Diet – Medications like GLP-1 agonists help regulate appetite, but we still need to fuel our bodies with quality proteins, fiber, and healthy fats to support digestion, blood sugar stability, and overall health.

😴 Sleep & Stress Management – Chronic stress and poor sleep dysregulate hormones that control hunger and fat storage. Optimizing sleep and stress resilience is key for long-term success.

🎯 Personalized Supplementation – While no supplement replaces the effects of GLP-1 medications, certain nutrients (like berberine, omega-3s, and probiotics) can support metabolic health and enhance results.

Breaking the Stigma Around Weight Management Medications

Unfortunately, weight loss medications still carry a stigma. Many patients feel like they are "cheating" by using them or that they should be able to "just do it with diet and exercise." But if a patient had high blood pressure or diabetes, we wouldn’t hesitate to offer them evidence-based medical treatments in addition to lifestyle changes. Why should obesity be treated any differently?

This is why shared decision-making is so important. Patients should feel empowered to have open conversations with their healthcare providers about all available treatment options, free from judgment or bias.

Final Thoughts: A Holistic Approach to Weight Management

As a naturopathic doctor, I see these medications as one piece of the puzzle in the journey to better health. They are not a magic bullet, but for the right patient, they can be a life-changing tool when used in combination with a holistic approach to nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being.

If you’ve been struggling with weight loss and wondering whether medications might be right for you, I encourage you to have an open, judgment-free discussion with a trusted healthcare provider.

The goal isn’t just weight loss—it’s better health, improved longevity, and a higher quality of life.

Let's move past outdated thinking and embrace all the tools available to help people succeed.

References:

Jensterle, M., Herman, R., & Janež, A. (2022). Therapeutic Potential of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Agonists in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: From Current Clinical Evidence to Future Perspectives. Biomedicines, 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10081989.

Li, H., Yu, G., Huang, Q., Yang, B., Nie, J., Liu, Y., & Tu, X. (2024). Efficacy and safety of GLP-1RAs for people with obesity: A systematic review based on RCT and Bayesian network meta-analysis.. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 171, 116150 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116150.

Shi, Q., Wang, Y., Hao, Q., Vandvik, P., Guyatt, G., Li, J., Chen, Z., Xu, S., Shen, Y., Ge, L., Sun, F., Li, L., Yu, J., Nong, K., Zou, X., Zhu, S., Wang, C., Zhang, S., Qiao, Z., Jian, Z., Li, Y., Zhang, X., Chen, K., Qu, F., Wu, Y., He, Y., Tian, H., & Li, S. (2021). Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Lancet, 399, 259-269. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01640-8.

Mullur, N., Morissette, A., Morrow, N., & Mulvihill, E. (2024). GLP-1 receptor agonist-based therapies and cardiovascular risk: a review of mechanisms. The Journal of Endocrinology, 263. https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-24-0046.

Alexiadou, K., Hartley, A., Tan, P., & Khamis, R. (2024). The cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond obesity and type 2 diabetes: an anti-atherosclerotic action.. Trends in cardiovascular medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcm.2024.03.003.

Al-Badri, M., Askar, A., Khater, A., Salah, T., Dhaver, S., Al-Roomi, F., Mottalib, A., & Hamdy, O. (2024). 14-PUB: The Effect of Structured Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Muscle Mass in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Receiving GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Diabetes. https://doi.org/10.2337/db24-14-pub.

Wang, J., Wang, Q., Yang, X., Yang, W., Li, D., Jin, J., Zhang, H., & Zhang, X. (2023). GLP−1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity: Role as a promising approach. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1085799.